An award-winning free city library will reopen after vandals left its future in doubt when they smashed it up last week.

Long John Hill Little Free Library in Lakenham saw its front window smashed by vandals overnight and the damage prompted Kathi Maloo, who has run the initiative since lockdown, to have second thoughts about continuing.

She was concerned about what could happen if vandals returned, given the library was attached to a fence at her home.

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Norwich Evening News: Long John Hill Little Free Library in Norwich's Lakenham area after it was vandalisedLong John Hill Little Free Library in Norwich's Lakenham area after it was vandalised (Image: Kathi Maloo)

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Ms Maloo started the library as a way to help her community through the pandemic and keep her busy while she was undergoing chemotherapy-based treatment but on the morning of Tuesday, May 16 she went to sort the books and found the damaged box.

But now thanks to kind members of the community Ms Maloo has decided to reopen.

Norwich Evening News: Kathi Maloo, who was worried what could happen if she reopened the libraryKathi Maloo, who was worried what could happen if she reopened the library (Image: Kathi Maloo)

She said: "Hurrah, huge thanks to You Fit Norwich who kindly donated a sheet of Perspex for the repair of the library.

"This means we can get the door fixed and the library will be up and running again soon."